St. Louis, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis Athletics Department launches the Center of Excellence initiative comprised of five core areas dedicated to build and prepare Scholar-Champions for both today and beyond. Sports Performance, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Enrichment Services and the soon-to-be-launched Well-Being Suite collectively will provide a competitive advantage to WashU student-athletes who want to become, and graduate, Scholar-Champions.
"WashU features a world-class education and an athletic home to stellar coaches and motivated student-athletes that embody a culture of intellectual curiosity and a winning mentality," said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the John M. Schael Director of Athletics Anthony J. Azama. "This collective approach, the Center of Excellence, seeks to fully maximize the student-athletes' potential of competitive excellence in spite of fierce competition, while continuing to define and take advantage of opportunities moving forward." The end goal, in addition to attracting the very best, is to provide the experience, resources and roadmap for student-athletes to cultivate their talents to maximize future value beyond their four years of undergraduate study."
Over the next several days, we will highlight each of the five core areas that comprise the Center of Excellence. Each core area allows WashU Athletics to tangibly differentiate itself among competing institutions. Today's featured area is Enrichment Services for Student-Athlete Development.
Enrichment Services for Student-Athlete Development
Beginning in 2021, Enrichment Services for Student-Athlete Development has been providing student-athletes the resources they need to succeed outside of their sport.
"Enrichment Services is committed to supporting WashU student-athletes holistically – from an athletic perspective, a student perspective and from a human perspective," said Student-Athlete Development and Experience Coordinator Ali Casco. "This means that we are thinking about and executing programming that covers a wide range of topics and skills. We are excited to be equipped with resources to support student-athletes on the department, team and individual levels."
Through various programs and partnerships, Enrichment Services provides information on optimizing sleep, how to market yourself as a student-athlete, graduation readiness, how to fuel your body, financial readiness and much more.
Additionally, Enrichment Services partners with organizations and offices across campus for diversity initiatives including the Black Student-Athlete Panel in conjunction with the CDI and the Title IX Empowerment Celebration in conjunction with the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office.
In 2022, Enrichment Services launched the inaugural Life Skills for Scholar-Champions class, an introductory course for first-years to learn life skills and different resources across campus.
"WashU's Athletic Enrichment Services has been an essential part of my success but more importantly my well-being within WashU Athletics," said women's basketball senior Jessica Brooks. "I can say without hesitation that with their support, encouragement and overall guidance, I am able to be the mentally strong and physically health scholar-champion that I am. From specific tailored programming, to team meetings, to just being an outlet that is always on your side, I am forever grateful for the support, resources and love I have felt from the Enrichment Services within WashU Athletics. We are lucky to have such intentional opportunities as student-athletes."
